The West Japan Rail Firm has launched video of its new humanoid heavy tools robotic. Mounted on the tip of a crane, this gundam-style robotic torso mimics the arm and head motions of a human pilot, who sees via the robotic’s eyes by way of VR goggles.
The important thing targets right here, in response to the corporate, are “to enhance productiveness and security,” enabling staff to raise and naturally manipulate heavy tools across the rail system with out exposing them to the danger of electrical shocks or falling.
The robotic’s massive torso is mounted to a hydraulic crane arm, which rides across the rail system on a specifically braced rail automobile, placing down stabilizing legs when it is time to get to work.
A human pilot places on a set of VR goggles, that are motion-tracked to manage the actions of a Wall-E-style head with stereo imaginative and prescient. Gripping a pair of handles, the pilot is ready to transfer the robotic’s arms and palms – and if an exterior drive like a weight strikes the robotic’s arms, this movement is mirrored again to the pilot’s controls.

JR West
A video launched on Twitter exhibits the robotic lifting and positioning some fairly sizeable elements, in addition to cleansing overhead rail constructions with a particular multi-angle brush. It grips all these instruments in what appear like comparatively easy clamp-like “palms,” exhibiting an inexpensive diploma of dexterity, albeit working at a reasonably sluggish pace.

JR West
Usually, any try and make a robotic look humanoid would make us suppose it most likely would not work in addition to it may if it did not look humanoid. However on this case, it is sensible: the pilot can shortly acquire a kinetic really feel for working the robotic, since its arms and head are in acquainted locations relative to 1 one other.
JR West is creating this machine in partnership with Human Equipment co. and Nippon Sign co. We won’t divine what’s subsequent for this broad-shouldered beast from the press launch, however you’ll be able to benefit from the video beneath.
【Information Launch】
生産性・安全性向上に向けて、株式会社人機一体および日本信号株式会社と共同で、人型重機ロボットと鉄道工事用車両を融合させた多機能鉄道重機を開発しています。詳しくはこちらをご覧ください。https://t.co/R8X32nmuJU pic.twitter.com/FBVjIe1xCC
— JR西日本ニュース【公式】 (@news_jrwest) April 15, 2022
Supply: JR West